A dramatic shift in Hungarian social policy is underway: Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced his government's formal intention to repeal legislation that significantly restricted same-sex couples from adopting children. This marks a major pivot following 16 years of rule by the Fidesz party under Viktor Orbán, a period that saw strict limitations placed on LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary.
According to N12, the current legal and administrative system, enacted in 2020, mandated that adoption applications submitted by individuals—a pathway previously used by same-sex couples—required the personal approval of the Minister of Family Affairs. In practice, this created a bureaucratic and political barrier that effectively resulted in a total ban on adoption by same-sex couples.
Magyar stated to reporters that the current policy will be fundamentally altered, emphasizing that adoption decisions should be made by welfare and child development professionals rather than political officials. He stated that the state must facilitate conditions that ensure the best interests of the child and their development as a harmonious part of society. This move follows through on campaign promises made by Magyar, who defeated Orbán in elections held last April.
During his tenure, Orbán promoted an agenda centered on the protection of traditional Christian values, which included wide-ranging restrictions on the LGBTQ+ community, such as a ban on legal gender recognition and the restriction of LGBTQ+ content in educational institutions. The legal battle surrounding these issues transcended Hungary's borders; last April, the European Court of Justice ruled that Orbán’s government had violated European law, partly due to the stigmatization of individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Currently, Hungary recognizes civil unions for same-sex couples but does not permit same-sex marriage. The current initiative by the Magyar government signals the beginning of a process that may lead to the expansion of legal rights for the LGBTQ+ community in the country. Nevertheless, the immediate practical impact for LGBTQ+ couples in Hungary will depend on the precise wording of the new legislation and how procedures are implemented by the professionals authorized to approve adoption applications in place of the Minister.